All You Need To Know About 401(K) When Switching Jobs

Land a great new job? Awesome. Now is the perfect time to think about your 401(k) and retirement plan, whether you had one before or not. Saving for retirement is important at all ages, so don’t let this opportunity fall to the bottom of your list.

Here are few tips to consider when starting a new job and a new 401(k).

1. Make more contributions if you have a bigger paycheck. When you get a raise, it is a good idea to increase the amount you contribute to your 401(k). You didn’t have this money in your pocket, so you won’t miss it when you put it straight into your 401(k).

2. The contribution limit for 2018 is $18,500. If you are age 50 or older, you are allowed an additional $6,000 towards a catch-up contribution. If you already meet the limit, let’s talk about whether you should consider contributing to an individual retirement account (IRA) for even more retirement savings.

3. Don’t pass up the new employer’s match. Sometimes, employers provide a 401(k) match as part of their employee benefits package. They may match your contribution dollar for dollar or a percentage of it up to a set amount.

4. Your company match is free money. Don’t let it slip through your fingers. Yes, free! If I offered you a bundle of cash – say, a few thousand dollars, perhaps – would you turn it down? Find out the limit and at the bare minimum, contribute that amount.

5. Name your beneficiaries for your new 401(k) plan. Keep your beneficiaries consistent across all retirement accounts and according to your estate plan. So be sure to update your new plan to reflect changes in your beneficiaries.

6. Are you now a parent or do you have a new spouse? Updates allow your 401(k) account to pass directly to the person of your choice should you pass away.

7. Above all, don’t forget to enroll in your new plan. While this may seem obvious, it’s easy to forget signing up for your new company’s 401(k) plan, because many employers require a short waiting period before new employees are eligible to join. If you have to wait, put a reminder in place – circle the enrollment date on your calendar and set an alarm on your smartphone. Just don’t forget.

Your “Old” 401(k)

Wondering what you should do with your old 401(k) accounts? You may prefer to roll your old 401(k) over to an IRA, as it gives you the ability to invest your account in a variety of mutual funds, stocks or bonds beyond what your employer may offer.

This helps you to build a well-diversified investment allocation. Choosing low-cost mutual funds or ETFs in an IRA can save you money in the long-term over generally more expensive 401(k) investment fees.

For easier management, some may consider consolidating an old 401(k) account with a new one. First, you need to research what investment options your new plan offers. It is common that employer-offered 401(k)s have a smaller number of investment options than an IRA. For example, emerging markets equity funds and small-capitalization value funds are rarely offered.

Then you should compare the underlying fees and expenses in your plan with those in an IRA. The operating expense ratios of the available options can often be higher. Finally, talk to your new 401(k) plan administrator to guide you through the steps for a rollover.

Taking your money out of an old 401(k) as a distribution is generally not a good option If you’re under 59½, you have to pay taxes on the withdrawal and a 10% penalty from the Internal Revenue Service. Typically, keeping those dollars in a tax-free or tax-deferred account as long as possible is a good idea – – except in the rare cases where you have appreciated Employer stock in your old 401(K).

Need Help?

So, what do you think? There are lots of options to think about. Call me to set an appointment and we can walk through your options so you can make an informed decision. Good luck!

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All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of UNIQUE FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLC, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to another parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.